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Bill > S2062
NJ S2062
NJ S2062Requires DCA to conduct investigation into nurse staffing agencies and exorbitant pricing.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to conduct an investigation into nurse staffing agencies and exorbitant pricing. Under the bill, the commissioner is to conduct an investigation into exorbitant pricing and health care agencies that provide clients nurse staffing services, otherwise known as nurse staffing agencies. The bill provides that the purpose of this investigation is to: (1) in consideration of the current economic recession and inflationary period, the current shortage of nurses, and other economic factors that force price increases, set objective parameters to determine what constitutes a nurse staffing agency engaged in exorbitant pricing, as opposed to a nurse staffing agency that is forced to charge higher prices due to economic factors that are beyond the agency's control; (2) determine whether certain nurse staffing agencies in this State are engaged in exorbitant pricing; (3) determine to what extent nurse staffing agencies are engaged in exorbitant pricing if the commissioner determines that certain nurse staffing agencies are engaged in exorbitant pricing; (4) develop recommendations on how to prevent nurse staffing agencies from engaging in exorbitant pricing if the commissioner determines that certain nurse staffing agencies are engaged in exorbitant pricing; (5) determine the difference between the amount nurse staffing agencies are compensated by health care institutions and the amount nurse staffing agencies pay to contracted nurses, and examine the extent to which nurse staffing agencies could provide more transparency regarding such payments; (6) examine how federal funds were used to pay nurse staffing agencies during periods workforce shortages related to COVID-19 related, and (7) study the market effects in states that imposed limits on travel nurse pay. Within six months after the bill's date of enactment, the commissioner is to prepare and submit to the Governor and Legislature, a report containing any findings and recommendations produced by the investigation.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the Commissioner of Community Affairs (DCA) investigate nurse staffing agencies, which are companies that provide nurses to healthcare facilities, to determine if they are charging exorbitant prices, meaning excessively high prices. The investigation will consider economic factors like the current recession, inflation, and the shortage of nurses to establish clear guidelines for what constitutes unfair pricing versus prices driven by unavoidable economic conditions. The DCA will assess whether any agencies are indeed overcharging, the extent of this overcharging, and will develop recommendations to prevent it. Furthermore, the investigation will examine the financial gap between what these agencies are paid by hospitals and what they pay the nurses they contract, looking into ways to increase transparency in these payments. It will also review how federal funds were used to pay these agencies during COVID-19 related workforce shortages and study the impact of price caps on travel nurses in other states. The Commissioner must submit a report of their findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within six months of the bill becoming law.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2062 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2062_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S2500/2062_I1.HTM |
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